Hook device



March 31 1931. A. DJIDICH 1,798,403

HOOK DEVICE Filed Sept. 23, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

March 31, 1931. A. DJIDICH 1,798,403

HOOK DEVICE Filed Sept. 23, 1950 V2 Sheets-Shget 2 I N VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented'Mar. 31, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALEXANDER DJIDICH, OF TAMAQUA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ATLAS POWDER COMPANY, OZE WILMTNGTON, DELAKVABE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE HOOK DEVICE Application filed September 23, 1930. Serial No. 483,849.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved hook device to facilitate loading such objects as cartridges into drill or bore holes. In particular, it is especially useful for the proper and eficient loading of explosive charges into deep drill or bore holes; especially when said holes are ragged or contain water, or there is but small clearance between the holes and the cartridges to be loaded. v

The practice of dropping explosive cartridges into bore-holes is often followed. This practice is usually unsafe, especially where relatively large sized cartridges are being ,1 6 dropped, because of the danger of premature explosion that is involved. A premature explosion may occur due to friction or impact or both, between the'dropped explosive and p the sides or bottom of the borehole. Several l0 premature explosions are also known to have occurred, when attempts were made to dislodge dropped cartridges, which had jammed in bore-holes before reaching their proper positions. In addition, great loss may result 2.5 from leaving jammed cartridges in their improper positions in bore-holes, due to the impaired blasting effectiveness likely to be in volved. The dropping of explosive charges may likewise result in rupturing the car- 3'0 tridges. This is particularly objectionable when the bore-holes contain water and the explosive contents of the cartridges are not water resistant.

The practice of using self-detaching hook 85 devices has been extensively used. These devices have the objection, however, of becom ing accidentally unhooked before the explosive cartridge is properly placed at the bottom of the hole, whenever the progress of the cartridge becomes sufficiently obstructed in its journey down the hole, to slacken the lowering rope attached to the lowering device.

Certain tripping devices are also known, which consist essentially of tongs which grab the cartridge. Such types are objectionable because they add to the diameter of the cartridge and therefore increase the likelihood of jamming in ragged bore-holes, and holes having small amounts of clearance between them and the cartridges being lowered. Difficulty may also be experienced in detaching such a device from the cartridge, where very small clearance exists between it and the bore-hole.

By my invention, as hereinafter set forth, it is possible to speedily and efiiciently lower maximum diameter cartridges into rough or ragged holes and to place them in the desired position, without danger of a premature release of the lowering device. My invention also has the advantages of simplicity and versatility. It is simple in that it consists only of two essential parts, namely, a hook and a guard pin; it being only necessary to with draw the guard pin, when it is desired to detach the load from the hook, and then slacken the lowering rope. It is versatile in that it may be used either as a self-detaching hook, without the pin, or as a tripping hook, with the pin. For smooth bore-holes having plenty of clearance for the cartridges being lowered, the hook may be satisfactorily used without the guard pin; whereas, for conditions where there is a possibility of the self-detaching hook being released prematurely, then the hook with guard pin may be used.

Without restricting the invention thereto, I describe the same with more particular reference to the embodiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side view of the complete assembly in the position taken when a cartridge is attached. 7

Fig.2 is a front View with the guard pin removed.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the hook in the position it takes after the guard pin has been removed and consequently the cartridge detached.

Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, illustrate possible modifications in construction.

In the drawing 5 designates the body portion of the suspension device of the present invention, the lower end of which is of hook formation, indicated at 6. A clevis 7 is adapted to have-a lowering rope attached thereto, said clevis being pivotally connected to the body'5, through the medium of a pin 8, the ends of which are riveted to prevent its accidental dislodgment, The body 5 is, preferably, countersunk, as indicated at 9, and this, in conjunction with the clearance between the clevis and the hook, prevents jamming due to the presence of foreign matter likely to be encountered during the lowering operation. A guard pin 10 is adapted to traverse an opening 11, formed in the body 5, and lie in front of the terminal end of the hook 6, in such manner as to effectually prevent the accidental dislodgment of the cartridge from said hook. As long as the weight of the cartridge is on the hook, the hook lies in the position illustrated in Fi 1, but when the guard pin 10 has been withdrawn and the weight of the load is taken off the hook, said hook swings to the angle illustrated in Fig. 3, at which time the hook may be drawn upwardly without engaging the usual centrally arranged suspension member of the cartridge (not shown). Such a suspension member is shown in the co-pending application of l/Villiam It. Farr-en, Serial Number l83,930, filed on the 23rd day of September, 1930.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modified form of the invention, in which the lower end of the guard pin 10- rests upon the tip of the hook 16 instead of sliding by it, as in the case of Figure 1.

Figure 5 illustrates a further modification of the invention, wherein the guard pin 1O passes through a nearly horizontally disposed hook 6".

Fig. 6 illustrates the fact that a ring or link 7 may be substituted for the clevis.

Fig. 7 illustrates a construction wherein the guard pin is retained within the hook assembly after releasing the cartridge. This is accomplished by providing the guard pin 10 with a slotted or cut-away portion 10 The tip 12, of a set screw 13, that is threaded into the body 5 limits the upward movement of the guard pin.

In Fig. 8, the guard pin 10 is kept under frictional tension through the medium of a detent plug 14, that is thrust by a spring 15 p st said guard pin. Any suitable friction means may be employed for this purpose, whether located within or without the body of the hook. It will be observed that all forms of the hook have a common outstanding characteristic, viz., that the hook extends upwardly beyond the horizontal, that the main body of the hook is forwardly protuberant beyond the terminal end of the hook. that the face of such protuberantportion lies at a sharp inclination with respect to the horizontal and that the guard pin passes entirely through the protuberant portion of the body of the hook and is exposed at the top thereof for the attachment of a withdrawing cord. while its lower end is brought into guarding relation with respect to the hook. By virtue of this arrangement the same shape of body which provides this desirable and economical mounting for the pin also provides the inclined front face of the body portion which by contacting with the load (upon continued downward movement of the hook after the load comes to rest in the bottom of the bore hole) aids in positively moving the hook laterally out of engaging position with respect to the load.

It should be expressly understood that I do not limit myself as to the position of the guard pin, with respect to the hook, as long as the guard pin prevents the release of the load before the pin is either entirely or partiall withdrawn from the hook. I have determined, by experiment, however, that the guard pin has the most desirable position, with respect to the hook, when it is as nearly vertical as possible when a load is attached to the hook. This facilitates the withdrawal of the guard pin, from an elevated location such as at the top of a bore-hole. I have also determined, by experiment, that the guard pin has the most desirable position with respect to the hook, when it either passes through or by or fits snug against the point of the hook. The pressure of the guard pin against the point of the hook helps to keep it in place, until it is desired to withdraw it, and also makes it more dificult for the cartridge attachment to force its way between the hook and the guard pin and thus become prematurely detached.

It should be expressly understood that the dimensions of the device may be altered as desired for use with various sizes and kinds of loads, without being outside the scope of my invention. For example, I may desire to make a small device for attachment to small wire loops or larger devices for attachment to handles, bails, wires, ropes, etc., with which the loads may be equipped.

The design or shape of either the hook or the guard pin may also be altered to suit various conditions, without being outside the scope of my invention. For example, I may desire to change the design of the hook, in order to give it a better balance or greater strength and I may use various shaped guard pins, such as round, tapered, square, rectangular, etc. Various materials of construction may also be used for making my novel device. For use, with explosives, however. I prefer to use strong, non-sparking materials. such as brass, bronze, hard rubber, hard fiber, etc. In short, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the arrangement shown and described, but that it includes within its purview whatever changes fairly come within either the terms or the spirit of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A lowering hook comprising a body portion having a suspension member attached to the upper end thereof and a hook at its lower end, and a guard pin associated therewith for preventing the release of a load from said hook until said guard pin is withdrawn, the center of gravity of the body portion being such that the raised portion of the hook lies in substantial alignment with the suspension member of the body portion as long as the load is on the hook, While said hook swings laterally out of longitudinal alignment with the suspending means of the body portion after the load is released therefrom.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a body portion terminating in a hook-like lower end, and suspension means attached to the upper end thereof, a guard pin traversing said body portion and lying in protecting position with respect to said hook, the center of gravity of the body portion being such as to cause the hook to swing laterally out of alignment with the suspending means of the body portion When the load is released therefrom.

3. A lowering hook of the character described, comprising a body portion shaped to form a hook-like lower extremity, and a suspension member at the top thereof, the points of location of the hook and suspension member and the center of gravity of the body portion as a whole being such that with a load on the hook said load lies in substantial alignment with the point of suspension, while, when the device is suspended with no load thereon, the hook-like lower end thereof swings laterally out of alignment, with the point of suspension, a guarding element associated with the hook and means for withdrawing the same.

4. A load carrying hook of the character described, comprising a body portion, the lower end of which terminates in an upwardly inclined hook, the upper end of said body being provided with means by which the hook may be suspended, and the intermediate portion of the hook comprising a forwardly protuberant portion which extends beyond the terminal end of the hook and the face of which toward said hook presents a surface that is sharply inclined with respect to the horizontal, said protuberant portion being provided with means for receiving and guiding a guard pin.

5. A load carrying hook of the character described, comprising a body portion, the lower end of which terminates in an upwardly inclined hook, the upper end of said body being provided with means by which the hook may be suspended, and the intermediate portion of the hook comprising a forwardly protuberant portion which extends beyond the terminal end of the hook and the face of which toward said hook presents a surface that is sharply inclined with respect to the horizontal, and a guard pin passing entirely through said protuberant portion of the body, the lower end of which lies in guarding position with respect to the hook and the ture.

ALEXANDER DJ IDICH. 

